New Jersey Devils News

Despite Vitek Vanecek winning his last two starts, including a roller-coaster 6-5 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Devils' last game, the Devils will return to Daws between the pipes on Thursday night. Daws has dropped three straight games (0-3-0), including his worst performance of the season in his last outing, allowing six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The struggling Devils, losers of five of seven (2-4-1), are +140 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that played last night, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2.

Hamilton has been out of the lineups since November 28th and remains out indefinitely. The talented blueliner had five goals, 11 assists, 61 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus in 20 games this season before getting hurt.

Hughes has already missed 11 games this season, eight with his current ailment, and although he still has a week-to-week prognosis, he appears to be making progress toward returning. The Devils have struggled, going 3-5 with Hughes out of the lineup.

Philip Tomasino will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Glass to make his return to the lineup. Glass has been held without a point in five straight games while recording a -5 plus/minus.

Despite Vitek Vanecek winning his last two starts, including a roller-coaster 6-5 overtime win over the Vegas Golden Knights in the Devils' last game, the Devils will likely return to Daws between the pipes on Thursday night. Daws has dropped three straight games (0-3-0), including his worst performance of the season in his last outing, allowing six goals on 36 shots (.833 SV%) in a 6-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The struggling Devils, losers of five of seven (2-4-1), are +140 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes club that played last night, defeating the Boston Bruins 3-2.

Justin Barron drew back into the lineup last week in favour of Kovacevic, who has been a healthy scratch the last three games. Kovacevic played 13:18 time-on-ice in his last game and will draw back into the lineup on Tuesday as Barron has been reassigned to the Laval Rocket of the AHL.

Glass will join Juuso Parssinen as a healthy scratch on Monday as the Predators will welcome Philip Tomasino and Michael McCarron back into the lineup. Glass has been held without a point in five straight games while recording a -5 plus/minus.

Hughes has already missed 10 games this season, seven with his current ailment, and although he still has a week-to-week prognosis, he appears to be making progress toward returning. The Devils have struggled, going 2-5 with Hughes out of the lineup.

Allen has watched from the sidelines as the Canadiens have been outscored 15-6 in their last two games (0-2-0), including a 6-2 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The Senators will turn to Allen in the crease on Tuesday in a rematch against the Senators as he looks to build on a stellar showing in his last performance, a 32-save (.914 SV%) showing in a 4-3 victory over the Colorado Avalanche.

Rittich has earned himself a third straight start, and fourth in the last five games, in a favourable matchup against the San Jose Sharks on Monday. Rittich has been a bright spot during a poor stretch for the Kings, going 3-1-1 with a .937 SV% and being responsible for the Kings' only three victories in the last 14 games (3-7-4). Despite their poor play lately, the Kings are sizeable -387 home favourites against a Sharks club that is 2-7-1 in their last 10.

Hatakka has not played an NHL game since a nine-game stint with the San Jose Sharks in the 2021-22 season. The Sharks' sixth-round pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft has spent most of the last three seasons in the AHL, playing with the San Jose Baracuda and the Utica Comets, registering 23 points (5G / 18A) in 77 games.

Glass returns to the Predators lineup for Thursday's game in Los Angeles after serving as a healthy scratch for each of the last three games. Glass has just one goal and one assist in 17 games this season.

The Kings will likely return to Rittich between the pipes for the second time in the last three games after he helped end their eight-game losing streak. Rittich is responsible for the Kings' only two victories during a horrid 2-5-4 stretch. Rittich has been limited to only five appearances this season (3-0-1) but has played well when called upon, posting a stellar 1.61 GAA and .932 SV%. Despite their struggles, the Kings are -139 home favourites against the Nashville Predators, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

The Kings will likely return to Rittich between the pipes for the second time in the last three games after he helped end their eight-game losing streak. Rittich is responsible for the Kings' only two victories during a horrid 2-5-4 stretch. Rittich has been limited to only five appearances this season (3-0-1) but has played well when called upon, posting a stellar 1.61 GAA and .932 SV%. Despite their struggles, the Kings are -139 home favourites against the Nashville Predators, who are coming off a 4-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

With the Devils' placing Brendan Smith (sprained knee) on the Injured Reserve Thursday, Santeria Hatakka has been recalled to the Devils' for the first time this season. The 23-year-old defensemen has appeared in 28 games for Utica (AHL) this season, and had two goals, nine points, 22 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus. He previously last appeared in nine NHL games in 2021-22 with San Jose.

Hughes is battling an illness but, despite not participating in the morning skate on Wednesday, will suit up for the Devils' contest against the Montreal Canadiens in the evening. Hughes has been held without a point in three straight games but was on a roll before that, scoring seven points (3G / 4A) in a six-game span.

Justin Barron will draw back into the lineup in favour of Kovacevic, who will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday. Kovacevic played 13:18 time-on-ice in Monday's 4-3 overtime victory over the Colorado Avalanche.